Qatar slams Israeli media over 'fabricated' reports aimed at damaging ties with Washington

Qatar has condemned what it called "fabricated reports" circulated by Israeli media, accusing them of attempting to sabotage Doha's relationship with the United States at a sensitive moment in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

In a statement on Tuesday, Qatar's International Media Office rejected claims broadcast by Israel's Channel 12, which aired what it alleged were "Qatari documents" allegedly proving Doha had supported Hamas's military capabilities and enabled the 7 October attack.

Qatar dismissed the documents as fake and said their publication was "a deliberate attempt to sow tension and drive a wedge between Qatar and the United States during a critical phase of mediation".

The statement added that "the timing of the release is no coincidence. It is a calculated distraction from growing international media scrutiny of Israel’s irresponsible actions in Gaza, especially as the mediation efforts are nearing real progress".

Qatar has played a key role in brokering multiple ceasefires between Israel and Hamas. Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has repeatedly attacked Doha, accusing it of failing to pressure Hamas to release Israeli captives and portraying Qatar’s humanitarian aid to Gaza as financial support for the group.

"These tactics are nothing new," the statement said. "They are routinely deployed by those who do not want diplomacy to succeed -those who fear that Qatar’s joint efforts with the administration of President Donald Trump could lead to a just and lasting peace in Gaza and across the region."

The statement also noted that similar smear campaigns had been waged against critics of the war and even members of the Trump administration who had supported diplomatic efforts to secure hostage releases, calling it part of a broader strategy to derail negotiations.

Netanyahu is facing mounting criticism at home, including from families of Israeli captives and opposition lawmakers who accuse him of dragging out the war for political gain under pressure from far-right members of his government.

Israel estimates that 56 of its citizens are being held in Gaza, including around 20 believed to be alive.

Meanwhile, over 10,400 Palestinians remain held in Israel, many of whom face torture, starvation, and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups. Several detainees have died as a result.

Hamas has repeatedly stated its readiness to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu, who faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over war crimes in Gaza, continues to reject these proposals, demanding the full disarmament of Palestinian factions and seeking to permanently occupy Gaza.